In the vast landscape of website security, there exists a formidable shield known as ‘rel=”noopener noreferrer”‘. This attribute, when added to external links, acts as a guardian, protecting against malicious code and thwarting reverse tabnapping.
Beyond its protective qualities, ‘rel=”noopener noreferrer”‘ also conceals the origin of traffic in analytics platforms, offering an added layer of privacy. While this attribute has no direct impact on SEO, it indirectly influences search engine optimization by hiding referrer information from external websites. This can prove advantageous in competitive scenarios, yet disadvantageous for building relationships.
It is worth noting that ‘rel=”noopener noreferrer”‘ poses no harm to affiliate links, as conversion tracking remains intact. Although major browsers now automatically imply the ‘noopener’ tag, it is still prudent to include the code for added safety. Whether utilized independently or in tandem, ‘rel=”noopener noreferrer”‘ proves indispensable in fortifying website security.
Key Takeaways
- Rel=noopener noreferrer is an HTML attribute that can be added to external links.
- Noopener is essential for website security and protects against malicious code and reverse tabnapping.
- Rel=noopener noreferrer does not have a direct negative effect on SEO and does not impact SEO link juice or PageRank.
- Rel=noopener noreferrer are two separate tags with different uses – noreferrer hides the origin of traffic and noopener protects against tabnapping.
What is rel=noopener noreferrer?
Rel=’noopener noreferrer’ is an HTML attribute used for external links that serves the purpose of hiding traffic origin in analytics platforms and protecting against malicious code. This attribute provides several advantages for website security. Firstly, rel=noreferrer hides the referrer information from the site being linked to, preventing website owners from seeing where their traffic is coming from.
This is particularly useful in competitive situations where you don’t want your competitors to know the sources of your traffic. Secondly, rel=noopener protects against reverse tabnapping, a technique used by malicious websites to gain control of a user’s browser tab. By adding the noopener attribute, the linked website cannot manipulate the referring page and prevents potential security breaches. Overall, rel=’noopener noreferrer’ is an essential security measure for external links that ensures the safety and protection of users.
Importance and Benefits
The importance and benefits of using the rel=’noopener noreferrer’ attribute in HTML links lie in its ability to enhance website security, protect against malicious code, prevent reverse tabnapping, and hide referral information from external websites, all without directly impacting SEO. This attribute provides a layer of protection by preventing the linked website from accessing the DOM (Document Object Model) of the referring page, thus safeguarding against potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, rel=’noopener noreferrer’ ensures that the origin of traffic is hidden from analytics platforms of the linked sites, protecting user privacy. It is considered a best practice to use this attribute when linking to external sites, as it contributes to a safer and more trustworthy user experience. However, it is important to note that rel=’noopener noreferrer’ does not affect SEO link juice or PageRank.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Enhances website security | Does not directly impact SEO |
| Protects against malicious code | |
| Prevents reverse tabnapping | |
| Hides referral information |
Implementation and Usage
Implementation and usage of the rel=’noopener noreferrer’ attribute in HTML links is widely recommended for enhancing website security and protecting against malicious code. The attribute serves as a best practice for ensuring the safety of users when linking to external websites. By using rel=noopener, the risk of reverse tabnapping, where a malicious website can manipulate the newly opened tab to redirect users to a harmful page, is mitigated.
Additionally, rel=noreferrer hides the origin of traffic, preventing analytics platforms of the linked sites from obtaining referral information. However, it is important to note that there are some potential drawbacks to consider. The use of rel=noopener noreferrer can hinder relationship-building with external websites, as it hides referrer information. Nevertheless, the overall benefits of implementing rel=noopener noreferrer outweigh the potential disadvantages, making it an essential tool for maintaining website security.
Impact on SEO
The presence of the rel=noopener noreferrer attribute in HTML links has a significant impact on the visibility and security of a website. When it comes to SEO, there are pros and cons to using rel=noopener noreferrer. Here are some key points to consider:
- Pros:
- Rel=noopener noreferrer prevents reverse tabnapping and protects against malicious code, enhancing website security.
- It hides the origin of traffic in analytics platforms, which can be advantageous in competitive situations.
- Rel=noopener noreferrer does not have a direct negative effect on SEO link juice or PageRank.
- Google can decipher the extra HTML, so using it does not harm your website’s visibility.
- Most major browsers now imply the noopener tag, reducing the importance of manually adding it.
- Cons:
- Using rel=noopener noreferrer can hide referrer information, which may hinder relationship-building with external websites.
To optimize rel=noopener noreferrer for better website security, it is recommended to always include the noopener code when linking to external sites. However, it may be beneficial to remove the noreferrer attribute in certain circumstances.
Relationship with Nofollow
The relationship between the rel=nofollow attribute and rel=noopener noreferrer can impact the effectiveness of SEO strategies and the establishment of meaningful connections with external websites. While rel=nofollow instructs search engine crawlers to ignore a specified link, rel=noopener noreferrer is unrelated to rel=nofollow and does not impact SEO in the same way.
However, the use of rel=noopener noreferrer can indirectly affect SEO by hiding referrer information from external websites. This can be advantageous in competitive situations as it prevents competitors from accessing valuable information. On the other hand, it can be disadvantageous for building relationships as it limits the ability of external websites to track the source of traffic. Best practices suggest using rel=nofollow for sponsored or untrusted links, while using rel=noopener noreferrer for external links to protect against malicious code and potential security threats.
Browser Support
Browser support for the rel=noopener noreferrer attribute has significantly improved over the years, with all major browsers now implying the noopener tag even if it is not explicitly added to the website’s code. This means that users of these browsers are protected against reverse tabnapping, enhancing their browsing safety. However, it is still recommended to add the noopener code to ensure safety for users of other browsers.
When comparing the rel=noopener noreferrer attribute to other link attributes, it is important to note that rel=nofollow and rel=noopener noreferrer serve different purposes. Rel=nofollow tells search engine crawlers to ignore a specified link, while rel=noopener noreferrer protects against reverse tabnapping. Both attributes can be used independently or together, depending on the specific requirements of the website. It is generally considered best practice to include rel=noopener noreferrer for external links, especially those that open in a new tab or window, to ensure the security and privacy of users.
To further highlight the importance of rel=noopener noreferrer, consider the following table:
| Attribute | Purpose |
|---|---|
| rel=nofollow | Instructs search engine crawlers to ignore the link |
| rel=noopener noreferrer | Enhances browsing security and privacy by protecting against reverse tabnapping and hiding the origin of traffic |
| rel=”noopener” | Prevents the newly opened tab from accessing the window.opener property |
While browser support for the rel=noopener noreferrer attribute has improved, it is still advisable to include it in external links for enhanced security. When compared to other link attributes such as rel=nofollow, rel=noopener noreferrer serves a different purpose and should be used accordingly. Following best practices for link attributes can help ensure a safe and secure browsing experience for users.